Using MFCMAPI To Delete Exchange Temp Table

Summary:

Duplicate messages are not only a nuisance but can be difficult to troubleshoot. Although there are several reasons why duplicate messages can occur, one known issue is caused by messages that are stuck within the temp table within the Exchange store. Temp tables are temporarily holding places within the Exchange store where messages are constructed. This can be caused by several reasons such as your AV application. This article will discuss how to delete the temp table so that duplicate messages are not re-generated. The process below will delete the temp table and create a new one.

Evan Dodds (Exchange MVP) does a great job explaining in depth about the temp table.
http://blogs.technet.com/evand/archive/2004/12/27/332752.aspx

You can also find additional info from MS Technet. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/2003
/insider/Special_Mailboxes.mspx

When troubleshooting duplicate messages, note the message ID. This is critical in determining whether the original message is duplicating itself or if a client is possibly re-sending messages possibly due to a virus infection. Therefore, examine the headers at least two duplicate messages to examine the message ID. This article is assuming the message ID is the same and is stuck within the Exchange temp table. Note that deleting the temp table will delete any messages yet to be processed or queued. Therefore, perform this during non production hours.

Resolution:

1. Download MFCMAPI, also known as MAPI Editor. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
FamilyID=55FDFFD7-1878-4637-9808-1E21ABB3AE37&displaylang=en

2. Launch MFCMAPI application. Click OK at the Microsoft Exchange Server MAPI Editor window. Click Session, and select Logon and Display Store Table.

3. You will now be prompted to create a profile. Note, you must be logged in with an account that has full rights to your Exchange server, otherwise you will receive the following error message below when we open the temp table.

Error:
Code: MAPI_E_FAILONEPROVIDER === 0x8004011D
Function
File f:\df7830\extest\src\mfmapi\mapistorefunctions.cpp

4. Once logged in, click MDB, and select Get Mailbox Table. A new window display opens "Server Mailbox Table" From here, you can select the server name you wish to work with. Select default settings and click OK.

5. You will now see all mailboxes enumerated. You will need to locate the SMTP(Servername --GUID) mailbox. Note there can be more than one depending on how many stores you have. Therefore you will need to perform step 6 on the remainding SMTP (Servernam --GUID) mailboxes.

6. Once you have double clicked the mailbox, expand Root Container. You will see TempTable#. Highlight this, go to Actions menu and select delete folder. In the Deleted Selected Folder Window, check "Hard Deletion" and click OK. Right click your Root Container and select Refresh View. Your TempTable# should not appear. Repeat this step for all SMTP (Servername --Guid) mailboxes you have. Once complete, restart your IIS server. This will re-create your TempTable#.


James Chong (MVP)
MCITP | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+
Security+, Project+, ITIL
msexchangetips.blogspot.com

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